Shillong: CM Conrad K Sangma has directed power officials and franchise operator SAI Computers to prioritise service delivery, replace defective meters and rebuild consumer trust in affected areas amid rising complaints of high electricity bills and erratic supply.During a review meeting here on Tuesday, Sangma assessed issues relating to electricity supply, billing practices and consumer grievances in areas managed by SAI Computers under the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) distribution franchisee arrangement.The CM expressed concern over public resentment over steep electricity bills and irregular supply, saying consumers were concerned with the quality of service they received. “Electricity is one of the most sensitive public services because it directly affects households every month. If people are paying higher bills and yet are not receiving reliable power, there will naturally be frustration,” he said.“Consumer trust and service delivery must remain our top priority. While operational challenges exist, people expect reliable power, fair billing and responsive service,” he added.The CM directed MePDCL and the franchisee to accelerate infrastructure upgrades, replace defective meters and transformers, strengthen public outreach, and ensure grievances are addressed promptly.SAI Computers told the govt it had inherited operational challenges, including a large number of defective meters, ageing infrastructure, transformer failures, unmetered connections and gaps in consumer data. Officials said a significant proportion of consumers in the franchise areas belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and that many meters were already non-functional when the franchisee took over.Calling for a consumer-centric approach, Sangma said improving power supply should take precedence over billing-related measures. “The public does not care who inherited the problem. They want better service,” he said, and asked the franchisee to avoid imposing sudden financial burdens on consumers until service delivery improves.Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) chairman-cum-managing director Sanjay Goyal said several infrastructure projects are underway under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, including replacement of defective meters, transformer upgrades and voltage improvement measures.
